Duranbah Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for the Duranbah stretch. It’s a bit of a slow burner this one, so don’t get too amped up just yet.

We’re starting off this Thursday, the 30th of July, with nothing worth paddling out for. The swell is weak and messy, with a combined energy reading of just 46 at the start of the day. The water temperature is sitting at 69°, which is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there. The wind is a bit of a nuisance too, swinging cross-off and then cross, so the first few days are a write-off. We’ll see a slight bump in energy on Friday the 31st, with some SSE swell pushing 5ft, but the wind is still cross-off, and the quality is only marginal. Saturday the 1st of August is much the same story – a bit of height, but the wind is messy and the forecast is touch-and-go.

Now, here’s your first real glimmer of hope. Come Sunday morning, the 2nd of August, the conditions start to line up. We’ve got a 5ft SSE swell at 9 seconds, which is a decent period, and the wind is a clean cross-off from the S at 9 mph. The energy jumps up to 588 (moderate), and the wave comment says “expect good surf conditions.” The morning is your best bet here, as the afternoon sees the wind shift and a bit of a chop creep in. Monday the 3rd stays marginal, with the swell dropping a touch and rain showers around.

After that, we hit a bit of a lull. Tuesday the 4th through Thursday the 6th of August offer only small, weak waves – mostly under 3ft with poor wind. The energy is low, hovering around 100 to 175. It’s not great, but keep an eye on early Wednesday the 5th of August if you’re desperate. That morning, the wind goes glassy, and while the swell is only 3ft from the E at 10 seconds, it’s clean. It’s surfable, but nothing to write home about.

The second week is a bit of a mixed bag. Friday the 7th and Saturday the 8th of August stay small and mediocre, with only the Saturday morning offering a clean cross-off breeze and a 3ft SSE swell. The energy is moderate at 265, but it’s still just ordinary. Sunday the 9th of August morning is glassy again, but the swell is tiny at 2ft.

Then, things get interesting for the experts. On Monday the 10th of August, the wind picks up strong from the NNW, and the swell jumps to 4ft from the SE at 11 seconds. The energy is solid at 402, but the wind is a fresh cross-shore, making it lumpy. This setup would be more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing, if you ask me. Tuesday the 11th of August calms down with a clean cross-off and a 3ft SE swell, but it’s still ordinary.

The real standout is shaping up for Wednesday the 12th and Thursday the 13th of August. On Wednesday afternoon, we get a clean 3ft ESE swell at 12 seconds, with a moderate offshore breeze from the WSW at 12 mph. The energy is 327 (moderate) and the wave comment says “expect good surf conditions.” That’s your pick for the second week. Thursday morning holds a 4ft E swell at 12 seconds, but the wind goes light NNW, so it’s a bit cross. Still, the energy is 405, so it’s worth a look.

Finally, Friday the 14th of August morning brings a glassy session with a 3ft ESE swell at 11 seconds. The energy is 351, and the conditions are clean. It’s a tidy way to end the forecast period, but it’s not a standout.

Best on offer: Sunday the 2nd of August morning is your best bet for the first week – clean, moderate energy, and a decent 5ft SSE swell. For the second week, keep your eyes on Wednesday the 12th of August afternoon for the offshore winds and clean 3ft ESE swell. That’s the one to circle on the calendar.

Stay safe out there.

Rusty

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